The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 302: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

298 lor I had reasoned it out, from what Lestrade had told me, that this Prince Georges had in truth sent his assassins across the waters to inurder his cousin; and that they, finding him in the com- pany of a girl so strongly resembling his daughter, had thought her such in reality, and therefore abducted her— for what foul purpose I hesitated to think. It they intended another murder, why had they taken her away to accom- plish it? Did they hold her, perhaps, awaiting cabled instructions as to her fate from the false Georges of Monte- biancia ? And what would be those tions? I dared not think. How little I guessed the truth! MIv eyes I kept fixed upon the face of the Senor Lestrade, hoping to sather from his expression foreknowl- edee of what he might discover. Ile had picked up the private journal and glanced carelessly through its paves, after which he threw it to one side. “There is nothing there,” he re- marked, “that is likely to help us. In the main it is a mere bald record of his journeyings and monetary affairs. Did the duke carry much money with him, do you know, Senor Plympton?” “Only this, so far as I can tell,” I answered, motioning toward the bills. Lestrade took the bundle in his hands and counted it over rapidly. T noticed a swift contraction of his brows—to be instantly smoothed, how- ever—which I fancied indicated a feel- ing of disappointment. “Four hundred and twenty-five dol- lars,” he said. “ Is that all, senor? ” “ All that I know of.” “ But are you sure?” Tlis persistence angered me. “Why, blast it, man, what are vou driving at?” I exclaimed. “Do you think J’d annex his money? I tell vou id | “ Ah, seiior, you misunderstand me. A thousand pardons, senor! I humble mvself to you, sincerely regretting that I did not make my meaning plain.” “Oh, that’s all right. I beg your par- don,’ I chimed in agreeably. “Tt is a puzzle to me, I confess,” he instruc- 4 rere gle THE ARGOSY. went on with an air of frankness. “ The duke was a rich man, accustomed to carry with him large sums of money ; that is all. “To am puzzled to think that he should have so little by him. In fact,” he added, picking up the little red book, “here, on the last page, I noticed as I elanced through that he mentioned taking with him to America a very large amount of ready cash. Is it pos- sible that he might have been robbed before vou came up with him? ” “1 don't know, I’m sure,” I replied impatiently. “I have seen nothing but what you have there.” Again I fancied that his brows con- tracted for an instant. “ But it 1s of no concern at all to us —is it, schor?” He laughed lightly, instantly removing the unpleasant im- pression which he had just given me. ‘Now, the other papers——” He took up the bundle nearest his hand, scrutinized the endorsement on its back, and whistled long and low. This performance he repeated with the other two, rousing my curiosity to its highest pitch. “And this is the satchel, I pre- sume?” he inquired, picking it up and glancing inside it. “Tt is.” My tone was short. The man did not seem so willing to help me out as before. “ Most peculiar,” he murmured. “What is?” “The matter which these docu- ments concern, senor.” Lestrade glanced at me with a slight, frank smile —a most winning smile. “It is of grave moment to the Spanish government, I assure you; the state secrets upon which they bear should not come to general knowledge. “In fact ’—his smile became more winning than ever—“it is most se- riously important. I shall have to ask a preat favor of vou, which I feel sure you'll not refuse me.” He tossed two of the bundles and the money into the satchel as he spoke. “And what might that be?” “T wish to take these papers away with me, to my hotel, where J can trans- late them at my leisure: as it happens, they are in cipher.” GORMGIOO S CO